federal emergency management agency
Federal Emergency Management Agency. A unit in the Department of Homeland Security responsible for coordinating all emergency-preparedness activities of the federal government through its ten regional offices. • FEMA also operates the National Flood Insurance Program and is responsible for fire protection and arson control. It was established as an independent agency by Executive Order 12127 of March 31, 1979 and became a unit in the Department of Homeland Security in 2003. — Abbr. FEMA.